National Football League Previews: Kerry can punish Dublin's problem with kickouts
THE PUNISHER: Kerry’s David Clifford scores his side’s second goal of the game against Galway. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Division 1
Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 7pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon) Live TG4
Ger Brennan was hardly going to say no to two badly-needed points but the amount of goal chances Monaghan spurned will have set off a few alarms. Monaghan had more shots, the kick-out battle was split down the middle and their discipline could have been better.
Seven days is not much time to remedy some of the issues Monaghan exposed and kick-outs continue to be a problem. Kerry can punish them there and are unlikely to be so wasteful as Monaghan. Of course, Con O’Callaghan could make this game his own as he did two years ago but he’s doing a lot of heavy lifting. The yoke on David Clifford is real but it’s not as burdensome.
Kerry.
The comeback kings have three points to their name when they could easily have been rooted to the bottom of the table. Character is counting for a lot with Galway right now but are they going to the well too early in the season?
Roscommon are playing games like trains as opposed to finishing them like locomotives. They clearly have a good bit of work done and they are coping without the St Brigid’s contingent who will buttress efforts in the coming weeks. Galway to build on that stirring finish in Tralee.
Galway.
Six days is a brutally quick turnaround for Offaly following the Cork defeat when they are down so many bodies. Add in the fact that Mickey Harte’s former charges have well and truly put that opening day defeat to Meath behind them and it’s a recipe for a home win. Verdict: Derry.
“I’m the right man at the right time in the right place,” Joe Murphy said so last year and the results this season are underlining that fact. Carlow are motoring nicely and Waterford need to be thinking about damage limitation.
Carlow.
Division 1: Galway v Armagh, Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, 4.15pm (M Farrelly)
Lying in third place, Galway have a healthy record in both ends of the field. Armagh are suffering without key players. Verdict: Galway.
Andy Moran meets his old compadres who sure wouldn’t mind some of his sunny outlook after three reverses. To give a better account of their previous display in Clones won’t be difficult for Monaghan but they need so much more if they are to pull off another great escape. If they are clinical, they stand a chance but assuming Mayo rediscover their kicking game they can do enough damage to win.
Mayo.
Donegal selector Neil McGee says the aim is a Division 1 final but we have our suspicions the Ulster champions could do without. Six points on the board, as Jim McGuinness said last week, gives them the chance to try things although you imagine there is a psychological element attached to this game. Armagh are in a bit of a quandary and that final round game against Kerry has become more important with back-to-back defeats. Armagh to win simply because they must. Donegal only want to.
Armagh.
Were this in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, this could be ever bit as entertaining and free-scoring as their previous encounters there last year and 2023. Páirc Uí Rinn usually takes the scoring down a notch and that may just suit the home side more even though they have been putting up higher totals.
The Boreenmanna Road has plenty of charm but it’s not the immaculate Croke Park where Meath have been in residence for two of their three games thus far. It’s not that Meath can’t mix it – they can – and they have momentum but it feels like Cork have been building up to this one.
Their injury list has more chance of clearing up than Meath’s too. One tight squeeze awaits.
Cork.
Gavin Devlin comes up against his native men and Darragh Canavan will want to help deliver two points before he heads to Australia for a month. Ardee can be a leveller but Tyrone were getting into a higher gear against Cavan that they didn’t really show in the Kildare and Derry matches. The Leinster champions have a job on their hands.
Tyrone.
Kildare have to be wary not to lose the feelgood factor. Three points from as many games is okay but to lose here would pop the balloon. Cavan might rue bad luck in their opening two games but there was nothing unfortunate about how they faltered at home to Tyrone.
Kildare.
Sligo felt the Laois backlash last weekend and they will have to roll up their sleeves if they are to take anything from this. Limerick are more than doughty and as much as they left it late to deny Wexford, stopping their 100% start to Division 3 will bellow their sails.
Limerick.
Westmeath look like they are going to hang around until the end of the promotion race and Fermanagh don’t appear right now as if they will cause them too much bother.
Westmeath.
Laois sure put the two-week break to good use as they recovered from a hefty Wexford loss with a heartening home win over Sligo. Clare seem too good to be in the relegation places but they have to demonstrate it.
Draw.
Wexford will be asking questions of themselves after losing late to Limerick. Down, on the other hand, have come through some tense battles with the full complement of points and can claim a fourth win on the spin.
Down.
London appear a tougher nut to crack this season but the home side can eke out the victory.
Wicklow.
The trajectory of these teams is slightly different last year when Antrim at least won two Division 3 games. Leitrim are unlikely to slip in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Leitrim.
Longford find themselves in the promotion places but they have some difficult assignments coming at them in the coming weeks. Tipperary can come away with something.
Draw.
Too big to go down? You would think so, but Dublin have to get going if they are to avoid the drop. Kildare are struggling too.
Dublin.
Kerry had their stumble against Waterford and Cork showed stoutness in all three games. Still, you would think they can inflict a first defeat on Cork in this campaign.
Kerry.
Intent seems to be the buzzword in team sport at the moment and Waterford have shown oodles of it thus far. Meath are a test but the home side can hurdle them.
Waterford.
Donegal are making a beeline for a return to Division 1. Cavan have yet to be on a losing side yet as well but they will be here.
Donegal.
Both teams are experiencing the highs and lows of it but Tipperary can add a second win.
Tipperary.
Tyrone are the highest scorers in the league. Mayo have the meanest defence. Something has to give.
Mayo.
The losers here will find it difficult to climb their way from the bottom.
Westmeath.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
